Piano player



18 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOFS: li 77/0MsoN WJZUYsTON W HE? 17m.

H. THOMSON ET AL PIANO PLAYER.

Filed Nov.

Aug. 12 1924.

Aug. 12, 1924. 1,504,532

H. THO MSON ET AL I PIANO PLAYER Filed Nov. 18, 1920 4' SheetsSheet 5 H. THOM sou W'R.OY TON WW T Em TTY- 12 1924' H. THOMSON ET AL PIANO PLAYER Filed Nov. 18. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 //vvE-7'0rs.- H. THOMSON' WROY rmv Patented Aug. 1.2, 1924.

UNITED STATES NTRJY THO GE, 03? KENSINGJLON, NEAR SYlJfhTlilY, 1T

Application filed November To ZZ whom it may concern.

residing at Perth, in the State of Western Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. WILLIAM liosnur Orsrou, residing at sington, near Sydney, in the State of ilouth l i ales, {lommonn'ealth of Austral a, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, have invented new and useful Improven'ients in and relating to Piano which the following is a specification.

This invent-ion relates to improvements in piano-players and in particular to a pianoplayer of improved construction adapted to be fitted to existing pianos without requiring the exercise of special technical skill for the purpose. Alternativel player mechanism according to the invention may be built into pianos in the manufacture of playeu piano instruments.

It is an object of the invention to proviee piano-player apparatus possessing great durability even under adverse clin itic conditions and having working parts of such construction, design and arrangement that they can be readily removed and replaced as conditions may require.

A fur her object of the invention is to provide a compact piano-player having a reduced number of operating parts of simplified construction and the sets of parts for the various actions so constructed that in manufacture they are standardized and can be individually and carefully tested beiore being placed into a complete assembly.

The invention provides an internal player apparatus having means whereby a vacuum is maintained in a main chamber which is placed selectively into communication by means of control valves'with collapsible pneumatics of improved construction ararranged in a single row and operating through tlftllSll'llSSlOll devices the piano actions. The transmission devices are selfaligning and so constructed as to reduce friction to a minimum, and they are further characterized by dispensing with the use of combination lever systems and pivot bearings of any nature.

Each set comprising an operating pneumatic casing for control valve and motion transmission device is of unitary construction, thereby facilitating manufacture of the player apparatus and assembly of its parts in correct operative positions.

is, was.

Serial No. 424,811.

The main vacuum chamber, the operating pneumatics, the control valves and the spool-box are so constructed and arranged that when fitted into a piano case they are all located above the hammer actions of the instrument, thereby obviating the necessity of altering in any manner the construction or design of the piano actions to accommodate the player apparatus.

Bracket supporting means are also provided whereby the whole of the player operating apparatus can be readily placed into correct positions within the piano case and conveniently removed therefrom for inspection testing or repair purposes.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement hereinafter fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings where- 111Z Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the internal player apparatus illustrating its arrangement within a piano case.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a supporting bracket and attached vacuum chamber the latter being in section.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the supporting bracket.

Figure 4 a sectionalelevation of the acuum chamber and its tubular end supporting bracket.

Figure 5 is a front view and Figure 6 is a view in plan of the tubular bracket supporting the end of the vacuum chamber casing shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view in end elevation of the bracket for supporting the opposite end of the vacuum chamber casing.

Figures 7 and 8 are views in vertical section illustrating alternate pneumatic and control valve units secured to the vacuum chamber.

Figure 9 is a view in plan of the pneumatic and valve casing unit.

Figure 10 is a view in perspective of the control valve and its supporting diaphragm.

Figure 11 is a view in plan and Figure 12 is a rear elevation illustrating the pneumatics in single row arrangement and the. control valves thereof.

Figure 13 is a view in plan of 2. diaphragm cap seating and tracker tube coupling.

Figures 14. and 15 are perspective views of part of the motion transmission devices.

Figure 16 is a sectional view illustrating a pneumatic prior to action, and Figure ii is a similar view illustrating the pneumatic in its active position.

Figure 16 is a view in detail illustrating the lower portion of the trai'ismission device out of action and in relation to the inactive pneumatic illustrated in Figure 16.

Figure 17 a is similar view oi the transmis sion device in action and relatively to the collapsed or active pneumatic illustrated in Figure 17.

Figure 18 is a sect-ion elevation and Figure 19 is a plan 01 an abutment attachment to the wippens of the hammer actions.

Figure 20 is view in detail showing a modified arrangement of mounting the abutment member for engagement by the transmission device.

In the drawings. 20 indicates a casing. preferably of wood having a vacuum chan ber 21v extending approximately the tull length of the piano case. This casing is supported within the piano case above the hammer actions of the piano by means of a. tubular bracket 22 (Figs. 4. 6 and i1) and by a solid bracket 29, (Fig. (i said brackets being fitted to the opposite interior ends ot the piano case by means of screws p sed through holes 25 formed in said bra e s. The vacuum casing is secured to the brackets 22 and 29 by means of screwed studs 2 having milled heads 24 and passing through a strengthening rib formed in said vacuun chamber.

is. recess 26 is formed on the inside taco oi? the tubular bracket 22 and is in com munication by means of a port 27 with the vacuum chamber 21. A tubular extension or socket 28 extends downwardly from the recess 26 and it is connected by tubing 98 to a vacuum motor (not shewn) the opera; tion of which maintains a constant vacuum in said chamber 21 through the cominnnications of tubing 28, extension .48. recess 26 in tubular blilCKGi) and port 27 leading to said vacuum chamber.

The vacuum motor is preferably of the construction described in the specification of our co-pending application for Letters Patent Serial No. 424,810.

On the vacuum casing 20 there is mounted a spool-box 30 having means for su n'iorting a music-roll 31, a take-up spool 32 and a tracker-bar 33. and other equipment of standard or conventional construction. The spool propelling mechanism (not shewn) may be of known construction. and it is fitted in alignment with said spool-box. Said spool-box and spool-propelling mechanism are positioned in the piano case above and in advance of the hammer actions as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

The vacuum casing 20 and its attachments are further supported at suitable points between the end brackets 22 and 29 by means of intermediate brackets la-see Figures 1, 2 and Ordinarily two oi these intermediate brackets are employed, and each has at its upper end a flange for attachment by means of screws 36 to the front wall oi? said casing 20. The lower end of each oi said intermediate brackets is fixed by means of a screw 3'? to a longitudinal rail 38 detachably fitted to the piano case. to which rail a key-lock 39 is hingedly attached. This key-lock extends approximately the full length of the piano and it is shod with a. leather pad or felting strip 40. The tunetion of said key-lock is to prevent the piano keys from following the upward movement oi the wippens of the hammer actions when the latter are mechanically actuated. hen said key-lock is raised to the position indicated by broken lines in Figure 1. the piano keyboard is tree to be manually operated.

Operating pneumatics corresponding in number to the instrument keys are arranged in a single row in front of the vacuum casing 20 and above the hammer actions.

Each of these pneumatics has a top staionary plate 42 surmounting two floating dates and. 44-. the intervening spaces between the plates of the pneumatic being) enclosed by an envelope 45 of flexible material. This envelope is so folded or creased that upon the exhaust of air from the pneumatic. the envelope collapses inwardly. thus draw-- ing the two floating plates towards the stationary plate of the pneumatic.

ln order that the reciprocating actions of the pneumatics caused by the exhausting and replenishing of air can be repeated tor longperiods without causing rupture oil the envelope. the latter is preferably tormed trom animal gut attached by means of glue or other adhesive to the said plates in tw layers-one with the grain and one across the grain. These two layers of membrane are united as by means of a rubber solution.

important feature oi the construction of the pneumatics is that their width is less than one-half oi their height when OXPHUdOth as is illustrated in Figures l6 and 17. T'lt vision is thereby made in a small con'ipass tor a large displacement ot air with a cor-- responding exertion ot force and with a minimum of movement owing to a. larger area ot gut being exposed to the action oi the air than is the case with an ordinarily constructed wide and low pneumatic having hinged members. Each of the top plates of the pneumatics is tormed with a lug 46 having a slot 4-? to receive the inwardly bent end 48 of a longitudinal angle plate 49.

Secured to the lower portion of said an ,f-jle plate 49 are forked guides 50 furnished with Felted linings 51.

The top plate 42 of the operating pneu matic is of cast metal, preferably alun'iinium, and it is torn ed integrally with the valve casing 52 being connected thereto by a throat in which is tormec a. passage The valve casin has a flange 54 for attachment to the vacuum casin 26, and it is constructed with an upper valve chamber and a lower valve chamber 56, which chainbers are divided by a wall 57 having a central orifice 58 formin a valve seating.

The upper valve chamber 55 has a detachable retaining cap 59 having an air inlet 60. Seated about the central orifice in the divisional wall 57 is a valve 61 having a stem "2 which extends into the lower valve chamber 56. Across this lower chamber there is secured a flexible diaphragm 63, the diameter of which exceeds that of said valve 61.

A. cap seating 64 is detachably fastened to said valve casing below the diaphragm 63, and a recess 65 formed in said seating is disposed immediately under said diaphragm. An outlet passage 66 extending from said recess 65 communicates with a nipple 67 to which is connected a flexible tracker tube 68 leading from one of the airducts of the tracker-bar 33.

The lower chamber 56 in the valve casing is connected by a slot or perforation in an exhaust passage 69 to the main vacuum chamber 21. A small vent or bleed hole 70 connects the passage 66 with the exhaust passage 691 leading to the main vacuum chamber 21 and a pin 71 is adjustably fitted into said vent for the purpose of regulating the area thereof.

This vent 70 is to enable the tracker tube 68 connected to the nipple 67 to be pneumatically exhausted. A slight suction is thus created in the tracker tube suilicient to exhaust the air therefrom when covered by the music-sheet and prevent the operation ot. the valve 61, but insuli icient to exhaust it when uncovered by the music-sheet. This suction serves to retain the music-sheet in close contact with the tracker-bar 33 in the operation of the piano-player apparatus.

The suction exerted on the underside of the valve 61 ensures the latter being firmly seated, but when a slot in the travelling music-sheet registers with a duct in the tracker-bar 33 an influx of air takes place and enters the recess 65 beneath the flexible diaphragm 63.

The diaphragm has an area greater than that of the underside of the valve 61, and in consequence the pressure of air, so admitted, immediately overcomes the atmospheric pressure on the valve which is raised, motion being communicated thereto through the valve stem 6 hen the valve is raised from its seat it closes the air inlet 60, and the contained air of the pneumatic 41 is exhausted through the passage 53, valve seat when m svi .nin '1 1. Ollmvt. .12; ant passa e .0, tie attei rommup, 1 1 b 91 rotatin n1 1 n8 \actiuin 0 mm ()L s @0011 the exhaust of air irom the pneuc, the envelope thereof collapses inwardly tiius drawing the two floating plates %3 and iftupwardly.

cial. 'leatures ot the internal pianoaccording to the invention reside in 'riloyment o't operating pneumatics ar- 7 in a single row: in the unitary coniction oi: pneumatic, valve casing and ra. emission device: and in the conmotion transmission device valve casings 52 having of necessity a greater diameter than the width of the improved construction of pneumatic are arranged in two series in longitudinal alignment, but with one series of alternate valve casings at a higher plane than the other series of intermediately positioned valvecasings. Each of the combined pneumatic and valve-casing units of the lower series is constructed as illustrated in Figure 7, and each of such units of the upper series is constructed as illustrated in Figure 8. The throats having passages 53 which extend from the top stationary plates oi alternate pncumat-ics are of less height and are arranged at a more acute angle than the corresponding throats extending from the top plates of the other series of pneun'iatics, and the air exhaust passages 69 of one series of valve-casings communicate with the up per portion of the main common vacuum chamber, while the corresponding exhaust passages of the lower positioned series of valve casings communicate with said vacuum chamber at relatively lower points. Furthermore, the cap sea-tings 6st of the higher positioned series of valve-casings have their nipples 6T tor connection to the tracker tubes arranged vertically, or approximately so, while the nipples of the alternating series are downwardly inclined tromthe passages 66 of their cap scatings 64.

The upward motion of the floating plates 43 and 4sin the collapsing action of the pneumatic is transmitted by means of a vertical pull-rod or wire 72 to the wippen 73 ct a hammer action. The upper end ot said pull-rod T2 is threaded and is secured into the bottom floating plate 44 of the pneu matic. This botto n floating plate oi the meumatie may, tor purposes of special durability, be constructed of two layers of wood of desired thickness secured together by an adhesive, the grain of the wood in one layer being opposed to the grain oi": the wood. of the other layer to prevent warping.

The pull-rod 72 extends downwardly from iii its pneumatic passing freely through the felted guide 50 and at a lower position through a guide 74-. which latter is rigidly secured to the rail 38.

n tappet or arm 75 is adjustably mounted by means of a set-screw 76 on the lower end of said pull-rod, and is positioned thereon so as to actuate hammer action by raising an abutment button 77 of peculiar construction aflixed to the free end of the wippen 73.

In the modified arrangement illustrated by Figure 20 said abutment button is fitted above the wippcn by being secured to a small bracket 73 on the tension tape supporting wire 7 3 In this construction the tappet or arm 75 is correspondingly raised on the pull rod 72 'to contact with the underside of said button, and without interfering with the arrangement of the hammer actions to permit manual operation of the instrument in the ordinary manner.

The abutment button 77 is characterized by having two parallel members flexibly connected together, and in the construction illustrated it comprises an eye-screw 78 screwing into the end of the wippcn, top and bottom washers 79 and 80 fitted to said eyescrew by a bolt 81, and a narrow strip 82 of leather or other flexible material secured to the underside of the lower washer 80 and to the upper side of a button 83 of wood shod with a fitting pad 84k. The connection of the two button members by a flexible strip permits the lower member 83 to oscillate slightly, whereby the friction between the adjustable tappet 75 and said abutment button is reduced to a minimum in the trans mission of motion from the operating pneumatic to the hammer action.

The guide 74 on the rail 38 is provided with an adjustable check screw 85, and in vertical alignment therewith is a buffer 86 secured to the upper side and at the rear end of the tappet 75, which buffer is adapted in the upward movement of said tappetto contact with the head of said check screw.

An adjustmentof said check-screw regulates the distance between the head thereof and said buffer pad, thereby limiting to a predetermined degree the upward stroke of the pull-rod 72 and consequently the movements of the floating plates 43 and 44 in the collapsing action of the pneumatic. This feature of construction is clearly illustrated in detail by Figures 16 and 16 and Figures 17 and 17.

Secured to the interior of the piano case are small blocks 87 positioned immediately below the lower ends of the intermediate supporting brackets 34. Each of theseblocks has a groove or recess 88 on its upper surface, lined with felt or other soft mate rial, to receive the curved lower end of said bracket when dismantling the player actions, thereby functioning as resilient pivots to facilitate the removal of said actions as complete unit from the piano case.

In the assembly of the player apparatus, the player actions, each set of which comprises an operating pneumatic a1, valve casing 52, air passage throat 53 and motion transmitting rod 72 in unitary construction, are fitted to the front wall of the vacuum casing 20, a screw being used for each. unit. The intermediate supporting brackets 3a are secured at their upper ends to said vacuum casing and at the lower ends to the rail 38. The spool-box and spool-motor casing with their contained mechanisms) are fitted to said vacuum casing above the single row of pneumatics when the tracker tubes 68 leading from the air-ducts of the tracker-bar are connected to the nipples 67.

The vacuum casing with its attachments is then detachably fitted to the brackets 22 and 29 secured to the piano case in the manner described.

By releasing the two studs 23 on the end brackets 22 and 29, and by releasing the rail 38 from the piano case, the vacuum casing, spool-box and motor, and all of the player actions can be removed bodily as one unit from the piano-case.

hat we do claim is 1. In piano-player apparatus, an operating pneumatic having a stationary plate, tvio floating plates and an envelope of 'iexible material aflixed to said plates and arranged to collapse upon the exhaust of air and thereby draw the floating plates towards the stationary plate, the width of the pneumatic being not more than one-half of its height when expanded.

2. In piano-player apparatus, an operating pneumatic having a stationary plate, two floating plates and an envelope of flexible material aflixed to said plates in two layersone with the grain and the other across the grain, the width of the pneumatic being not more than one-half of its height when expanded.

3. In piano player apparatus, an operating pneumatic having a stationary plate, two floating plates disposed at one side of the stationary plate and an envelope of flexible material for said plates, said envelope being attached to the stationary plate and carrying the floating plates and ar'anged to collapse upon the exhaust of air and draw the floating plates toward the stationary plates, a rod secured to a floating plate of said pneumatic, and means carried by said rod to operatively connect the rod to and actuate the wippcn of the piano action by the movement of said rod caused by the collapsing of the pneumatic.

at. In piano-player apparatus, a series of pneumatics arranged in a single longitudina-l row in parallel relation, each of said pneumatics having a rod secured thereto, and means to operatively connect the rod to and actuate the Wippen of the piano action by the movement of said rod caused by the collapse or the pneumatic to engage and actuate a hammer action of the instrument.

5. In piano player apparatus, an abutment through which a hammer action of a piano is actuated, comprising two button members flexibly connected together and permitting oscillatory iovement of one member relative to the other member, and means for attaching said abutment to the hammer action,

6. ln piano-player apparatus, an abutment through which a hammer action is actuated, comprising an eye-screw, washers fitted to opposite sides out the eye, said screw, and a button shod with soft material flexibly connected to one of said Washers.

7. In piano-player apparatus, an unitary construction of operating pneumatic having a stationary plate and two floating plates arranged at one side of the stationary plate, and controlvalve casing integral with said stationary plate, and a motion transmission device fixed to the outer floating plate of said pneumatic.

8. In piano-player apparatus, a unitary construction of operating pneumatics including a stationary plate and a pair of floating plates arranged at one side of the fixed plate, control-valve casings integral with the stationary plates of the pneumatics and motion transmission devices secured to the floating plates ot said pneumatics, said pneumatics being arranged in parallel relation in a single longitudinal row.

9. ln piano-player apparatus, an operating pneumatic having a stationary plate, two floating plates, an envelope fixed to said plates and folded to collapse inwardly, a valve casing, a throat integral with the stationary plate of the pneumatic and valve casing and in communication with said valve casing and with said pneumatic through a port in the stationary plate of the pneumatic, and a motion transmission device fixed to the outermost floating plate of said pneumatic.

10. In piano player apparatus, a chest having a main vacuum tank, means for supporting said chest in a piano case above the hammer actions, pneumatic control. valve casings mounted in a longitudinal row on said chest having exhaust passages in communication with said vacuum chamber, operating pneumatics, throats projecting laterally from the casings and having an extended member to constitute a fixed part of the pneumatics with the passages therein connecting said casing with their respective pneumatics, and means to operatively connect the pneumatics with the hammer actions of the piano.

1. piano-player apparatus, a chest i main vacuum chamber, a tubular cit for supporting said chest, having a 4 t connmnicating with said vacuum chamber, a tubular extension on said bracket, and piping leading from an exhauster motor and connectel to said extension.

In piano-player apparatus, chest having a main vacuum chamber, brackets fitted to the interior ends of the piano-case and synaportiin said chest above the hammer actions, a rail secured to the piano case, l 25" their upper ends to said creche-ts itted at chest intermediate of said end brackets and secured at their lower ends to said rail, guides for aid intermediate brackets, and a pipe connection from an exhauster motor to said vacuum chamber through one of said end supporting brackets.

in piano player apparatus, a chest having a vacuum chamber supported within the piano case above thefhammer action, pneumatic control valve casings arranged in two substantially parallel series, one at a higher level than the other, upon the chest in communication with the vacuum chamber, operating pneumatics arranged in a single row in 3a allel relation, throats projecting laterally from the valve casings and having an extension forming a fixed part of the pneiunatics, the passages through said throats l ling from said casings to said pnuiinatits, said pneumatics, throats and valve casings being of a unitary structure, and rods secured to said pneumatics for the purpose specified.

In piano player apparatus, a pneun'iatic comprising a fixed plate, a pair of floating plates substantially parallel with and at one side or the fixed plate, a flexible envelope for id plates and attached to the lined plate, said envelope being so creased as to collapse ripen the exuaust of the air from the envelope and draw the floating plates towards the fixed plate, and an actuator secured to the outermost floating plate.

ln piano player apparatus, a pneumatic control valve casing having an exhaust valve and arranged for connection to a vacuum chamber, and having an integral throat piece with the passage therein in communication with the valve casing, and said throat piece having an extended portion to serve as a fixed part ot a pneumatic.

l6. In piano player apparatus, a chest to extend longitudinally of the piano and having a vacuum chamber extending longitudinally thereof; brackets to support said chcs, one oi said brackets being hollow and in communication with the vacuum chamber and arranged for connection to vacuum creating means; pneumatic control valve casings connected to said chest in communication With the vacuum chamber; and actuating pneumatics carried by and in communication with the valve casings and arranged in a longitudinal row in parallel relation to each other.

17. In piano player apparatus, an operating pneumatic having a fixed plate, floating plates arranged at one side of and in parallel relation with the fixed plate, anda flexible envelope extending about said plates and attached to said plates and arranged to collapse upon the exhaust or air therefrom and draw the floating plates toward the fixed plate.

18. In piano player apparatus, a vacuum chamber apneumatic control valve casing in communication with said vacuum chamber, an operating pneumatic in communication With the valve casing; a rod secured to said pneumatic; a tappet adjustably mounted on the rod; and an abutment at tached to the wippen of the hammer action of the piano to be engaged by the tap pet to actuate said hammer action by the movement of the rod caused by the colla se of the pneumatic.

19. In piano player apparatus, a vacuum chamber; pneumatic control valve casings in communication with said vacuum chamber; operating pneumatics in communication with said valve casings arranged in a longitudinal row in parallel relation; a rod secured to each of said pneumati s; guides for said rods; abutments attached to the wippen of the hammer actions; tappets adjustably mounted on the rods to engage said abutments by the movement or' the rods caused by the collapsing of the pnenmatics to actuate the hammer actions; and means for limiting the movement of said rods.

20. In piano player apparatus, a chest having a vacuum chamber; brackets or supporting said chest in the piano casing; pneumatic control valve casings mounted on said chest in communication with the vacuum chamber; pneumatics carried by said casings in communication therewith and arranged in parallel reh. 'on in a horizontal row; rods secured to said 1icu1natics arranged with means to actuate the hammer actions of the piano said vacuum chest, valve casings and pneuniatics being of unitary construction whereby the same may be mounted in and removed from a piano case as a unit.

21. In piano player apparatus, a valve casing having a laterally projecting tubular member and said member having an ex tended substantially flat portion with the passage through said member in communication with the valve casing and opening through the extension thereof.

22. In piano player apparatus, a valve casing having a laterally projecting tubular member and said member having an extended substantially flat portion with the passage through said member in communication with the valve casing and opening through the extension thereof; a pair of plates; an envelope of flexible material to secure said plates in spaced and parallel relation at one side or the extended flat portion of the tubular member for the purpose specified.

28. In piano player apparatus, a valve casing having an exhaust opening arranged to be connected to a vacuum chamber and an opening to the atmosphere; a valve to control the opening and closing of said openings; a tubular projection integral with and extending laterally from said casing having an extended substantially flat portion with the passage in said projection in communication with the valve casing and opening through said extension; a pair of plates, and an envelope of flexible material to attach said plates in spaced parallel re lation at one side of the extended portion of the tubular member for the purpose specified.

24. In piano player apparatus, a casing having a valve chamber with a pair of opposed openings and a recessed portion arranged in the casing wall at the outer end of one of said openings; a cap attached to said casing to co-operate with said recess to form a chamber with which one of the casing openings communicates and the other opening in the casing opening to the atmosphere, an exhaust port leading from said latter chamber; a valve to control the opening and closing of the openings from the valve chamber; a tubular member inte with and projecting laterally through casing with the passage therein in :oiumuuL cation with the valve chamber; and a pneumatic at the free end of 'd member in communication with the pa. numjt therein for the purpose specified.

25. In piano player apparatus, a casing having a valve chamber with a recess arranged in the outer wall thereof; a cap attached to the casing to co-operate with said recess to form a chamber; a diaphragm in said latter chamber; a valve opening from the chamber at one side of the diaphragm to the valve chamber; a. second opening in the valve chamber opposite to the first opening; an exhaust port from the chamber at the same side as the opening to the valve chamher; a port from the chamber at the opposite side of said diaphragm; a valve in the valve chamber having an operative connection with the diaphragm to be controlled by the latter to control the opening and closing of the openings in the valve chamber.

26. In piano player apparatus, a casing having a valve chamber with a recess arranged in the outer wall thereof; a cap attached to the casing to co-operate with said recess to form a chamber; a diaphragm in said latter chamber interposed between the cap and casing; a pair of opposed openings in the valve chamber one leading to the atmosphere and the other to the chamber at one side of the diaphragm; an exhaust port from said latter chamber at one side of the diaphragm and in communication with the opening to the valve chamber adapted to be connected to exhaust means; a second port from the diaphragm chamber at the opposite side of the diaphragm having connection with a tracker tube; a bleeder hole communicating with the ports from the diaphragm chamber at opposite sides of the diaphragm; a valve in the valve chamber having a stem extending through the one opening of the valve casing for operative connection with the diaphragm and adapted to be actuated. by the movement of the diaphragm to control the opening and closing of the openings of the valve chamber; a tubular projection extending laterally from and integral with the valve casing and in communication with the valve chamber; and a pneumatic at the free end of said projection in communication therethrough with the valve chamber.

27. In piano player apparatus, a pneumatic, a valve casing, a throat integral with said valve casing and pneumatic, a perforate wall dividing said easing into two chambers one of said chambers having a port opening to the atmosphere, a valve seating in said wall perforation and having a stem to 6X- tend through said perforation, a flexible diaphragm in one chamber titted to said stem, a passage "from one chamber at one side of the diaphragm arranged for connection with a tracker tube, an exhaust passage leading trom said chamber at the opposite side of the diaphragm, and a bleeder hole communicating with said passages.

28. In piano player apparatus, a chest having vacuum chamber, control valve casin -s mounted on the chest in communication w the vacuum chamber in two alined series one at a higher level than the other, operating pneumatics arranged in parallel relation in a single row, members having air passages integral with said valve casing and with the pu umatics, valves in said casings to control the connection 01" the casing with the vacuum chamber and the openings to the atmosphere, and actuators connected to said pn umatics.

29. In piano player apparatus, a chest having a vacinun chamber therein, control valve .1 s secured to said chest in communican the vacinnn chamber in longitudi- .linemeut in two series one at a higher than the other, operating pneumatics a ranged in a parallel alined row laterally casing, members having air .veen and connecting said pneuand the va ve casings, said air pasg formed integral with said casarranged as a part of said pneund actuators connected to the pneupiayer apparatus, a vacuum unatic, a valve casing having to the atmosphere and aport arranged ror connection with the vacuum chamber and a tracker tube, a valve for conirof g the opening and closing of said ports to connect the casing with the vacuum chamber and atmosphere, an air pass 'e integral with said casing and arranged to constitute a lined rt of said pneumatic and forming a connnunication between the casing and pneumatic.

31. in piano player apparatus, a pneumatic having a stationary plate and two floating plates with a flexible envelope to connect the loating plates with the stationary plates for movement in parallel relation with the stationary plate, a valve casing; a control valve in said casing, and a tubular communicating throat formed integrally with said valve casing and with said stationary plate of the pneumatic whereby said pneumatic and said valve casing are of unitary construction.

In piano player apparatus, a pneumatic having a stationary plate, a valve casing; a control valve in said casing; athroat integral with the stationary plate of the pneumatic and with said valve casing, an air passage in said throat communicating with the pneumatic and valve casing, and an attachment flange on said casing.

In testimony whereof we atlix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY THOMSON. WILLIAM R. OYSTON.

Witnesses N. STARFIELD, R. BOULTON. 

